DOWNTOWN MOVESTRANSFORMING OTTAWA’S STREETS

International Downtown Association | Awards 2013

Category: Planning

Downtown Moves is:

A sustainable Urban Design and Transportation Planning strategy that:

Source: Friends of Downtown Ottawa web site

• Capitalizes on the transformative opportunities of the Confederation Line light rail transit project

• Pursues a balance among street users

• Provides practical urban design solutions

• Promotes progressive “moves” to enable a sustainable and economic-successful downtown

The Downtown Study Area

• The Central Business District of downtown Ottawa

• Heart of our Capital Region

• 98,000 employees

• 10,000 residents

• + growth!

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Downtown West LRT Station

Downtown East LRT Station

Rideau LRT Station

Study Timeline

Fall2011

Winter 2013Winter/Spring2012

Summer/Fall 2012

August2011

Transportation Committee approved the Statement of Work in April 2011

Transportation Committee and City Council unanimously

approved Downtown Moves in March 2013

Case for Making Moves Downtown

• Investment in active transportation will improve downtown livability and health

• Downtown streets serve over 100,000 people who work in Ottawa’s compact high-density central area

• Number of downtown residents will double by 2031

• 3 Confederation Line stations in downtown Ottawa will accommodate tens of thousands of riders each day

• Increased Level of Service for pedestrians is essential for Confederation Line success

• All travel modes can be accommodated downtown while improving public spaces

Building on Opportunities Downtown

• Significantly reducing the volume of surface buses and changing the street environment

• Creating opportunities to meet the needs of pedestrians and cyclists

• Completely changing the relationship of public transit to the street

The underground Confederation Line will transform downtown Ottawa by:

Function and Form Downtown

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It’s the quality of the urban experience and the economic success of downtown Ottawa

It’s more than just providing for mobility …

Inclusive Representation

Multiple perspectives in an open consultative approach:

• Representation from over 19 stakeholder groups, including: community and business associations, special interest groups, provincial and federal departments, technical agencies and City staff

• All groups shared information, perspectives and worked through issues together

• Consultation techniques included working group meetings, open houses, walking and cycling tours, web site, blogs, newsletters and peer-reviews

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Innovative Approach to Downtown Street Reconstruction and Management

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Vision Plans: Mobility Overlays

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Ped

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• New ‘Street Design Framework’ simplifies the planning and street design decision-making

• Supported by tools that recognize new street priorities and focus

• The Framework provides a logical process that can be adapted and replicated for use by other municipalities

Plan of Streets

Toolkit

Street Design Framework

Sustainability = Complete Streets Downtown

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Over a dozen different street cross sections were developed to promote sustainable street design choices

Addresses the mix of all transportation modes, local businesses and street activities

Pioneering research into the concept of “Pedestrian Level-of-Service” (LOS) informed the street design and contributed to furthering planning for active transportation

Street Demonstrations for Sustainable Downtown

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Slater Street - before

Slater Street - after

Street Demonstration illustrations were prepared to assist politicians, business leaders and policy makers envision the opportunities for change

Execution and Downtown Outcomes

• Downtown Moves was approved unanimously by City Council in March 2013 with broad public support

• It was undertaken as a “Master Plan” and fulfills Phases 1 and 2 of the Environmental Assessment process, outlining how future projects can proceed

• As an outcome, the City has initiated the Queen Street Renewal project in June 2013 to increase downtown appeal and enhance the pedestrian experience based on the new ‘Street Design Framework’

• This planning document guides the incremental transformation of streets as part of life-cycle renewal over the next 5, 10, and 20-years …

• Downtown Moves strongly promotes the economic success and vitality of downtown Ottawa

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1877 Sparks Street (Between Elgin and Metcalfe)